With $957.3 million at the global box office, Toy Story 5 is on track to become the highest-grossing film in the franchise. But the Pixar sequel’s impact isn’t just being measured in ticket sales.
Through Disney’s longtime partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, the film’s release is also bringing the magic of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends to hospitalized children around the world.
Since 2001, Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation have collaborated to provide hospitalized children with exclusive screenings, care packages and character-inspired experiences. Through its flagship “Disney Movie Moments” program, the company converted hospital spaces into immersive screening events for patients and their families.
As part of the Toy Story 5 rollout, the film became available to patients in more than 400 children’s hospitals globally, including more than 300 across the United States. Disney says it distributed more than 18,000 Toy Story 5-themed toys and 34,000 character-inspired hospital gowns to children and families across participating hospitals.
Woody and Jessie with a patient in a Toy Story-themed hospital gown.
Courtesy of Disney
Disney also introduced a first-of-its-kind red carpet activation at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, where cast members and guests stopped at a life-size interactive lily pad to write messages of encouragement for children in hospitals. Tim Allen, Greta Lee, Tony Hale, Conan O’Brien, Joan Cusack and other members of the film’s ensemble participated in the activation. Says Hale, “This is amazing! Disney is sending Toy Story to all these fantastic kids in hospitals around the nation.”
The heartfelt messages were shown at hospitals in Washington, D.C., Oakland, and Orlando with another immersive Disney hospital experience. Children were surprised with visits from Woody and Jessie, Toy Story-themed gift packages and drawing sessions led by Pixar animators.
Conan O’Brien (Smarty Pants) and Joan Cusack (who voices Jessie, far right) at the Toy Story 5 L.A. premiere.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
“Toy Story has always celebrated the connections that bring us together, and the cast, crew and premiere guests carried that spirit onto the red carpet by writing personal messages for children in hospitals before the world even saw the film.” said Disney’s Lisa Haines, senior vp corporate social responsibility. “Whether it’s a beloved character by a child’s side or a note from the voice of Buzz Lightyear, those simple gestures are incredibly powerful and can create moments of comfort and joy for kids when they’re needed most.”
